ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to assess the relationship between female hormone and menstrual factors and pancreatic cancer (PC) through a meta-analysis of observational studies. We undertook a systematic literature search up to July 10, 2014 in PubMed and EMBASE databases. Combined relative risks (RRs) were estimated by random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was performed by study design, source of control, and geographic regions. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias were utilized to evaluate the robustness of our results. A total of 27 case-control and cohort studies were retrieved for this meta-analysis. No significant associations were observed between the risk of PC and age at menarche (RR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-1.07), age at menopause (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.85-1.13), hysterectomy (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.84-1.11), oophorectomy (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.82-1.26), hormone replacement therapy (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.87-1.08), and oral contraceptives (RR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.96-1.23). This meta-analysis of observational studies does not support the hypothesis that exogenous hormone use and menstrual factors are associated with PC.

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to assess the relationship between female hormone and menstrual factors and pancreatic cancer (PC) through a meta-analysis of observational studies. We undertook a systematic literature search up to July 10, 2014 in PubMed and EMBASE databases. Combined relative risks (RRs) were estimated by random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was performed by study design, source of control, and geographic regions. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias were utilized to evaluate the robustness of our results. A total of 27 case-control and cohort studies were retrieved for this meta-analysis. No significant associations were observed between the risk of PC and age at menarche (RR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-1.07), age at menopause (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.85-1.13), hysterectomy (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.84-1.11), oophorectomy (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.82-1.26), hormone replacement therapy (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.87-1.08), and oral contraceptives (RR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.96-1.23). This meta-analysis of observational studies does not support the hypothesis that exogenous hormone use and menstrual factors are associated with PC.